GRAHAM Barrow is backing his players to bounce back on Tuesday following Saturday's disappointing 2-0 home defeat at the hands of Mansfield Town.

The Shakers travel to Northamptonshire to take on struggling Rushden & Diamonds and the Bury boss wants a big improvement from his charges after the miserable display they put in at the weekend.

The first team squad and coaching staff had a heart-to-heart on Monday morning and in the wake of that, Barrow is expecting a significant response at Nene Park against another team struggling at the wrong end of the table.

"We've got to pull ourselves round again after Saturday and get back to winning some football matches," said Barrow.

"In some ways I can't fault the lads for effort but we are better than we showed on Saturday.

"They had a couple of days off last week after the big effort they put in at Boston, the idea was to give the lads a lift but it looked like that backfired.

"If that's the kind of performance we are going to get we won't be doing it again.

"Tonight's (Tuesday's) match is a big game for us and we've got to put things right, but knowing the players Iike I do I'm sure we'll see an improvement."

The only injury worry from the weekend involves defender Colin Woodthorpe who has been struggling with a back injury for weeks.

He was substituted early into Saturday's game and is a big doubt.

If he fails to make it either Lee Unsworth or John Cartledge will be drafted into the centre of defence.

"We really need everyone at the club to stick together at this time in the season," he added.

"I wasn't being clever a few weeks ago when I said that we were in for a difficult couple of months.

"I don't want to be alarmist but Saturday's game should be a wake up call for all of us.

"It was a big game but for whatever reason I don't think the players were in the right frame of mind for it.

"That kind of display can come at any point in the season at any club, but under the circumstances it came at a very bad time for us."

Like the Shakers, Rushden are in the middle of a poor run of results and have only won one game in the last seventeen.

However, they picked up a useful point from a 1-1 draw at Notts County on Saturday.

They also have a crippling injury list, not helped by central defender Graham Allen picking up a back injury at Meadow Lane.

With former Shakers' loan defender Phil Gulliver (knee) also injured, manager Barry Hunter is contemplating putting his boots back on to help the team out.

The former Northern Ireland international has not featured so far this term but may be forced into action should those two miss out.

In the corresponding game at Gigg Lane back in October a Dwayne Mattis goal earned the Shakers a 1-1 draw against the Diamonds.

The former Huddersfield Town midfielder has been sorely missed from the Bury line-up since picking up a knee injury two weeks ago.

However, in his case, there could be light at the end of the tunnel according to Barrow.

"It would be a major plus if we could get Dwayne back," he declared.

"His scan has shown up no cartilege damage so it could be he only needs more rest.

"With a bit of luck both he and Chris Porter could be back in action after the Southend game."